Skorpa of the White Horse

Skorpa of the White Horse (died 878) was a Danish Viking sea king who raided Cornwall and Wessex in 878, leading to his death at the Battle of Edington.

Biography
Skorpa was born in Denmark, and he became a feared Viking raider, infamous for his brutality, his bloodlust, his reputation as a promise-breaker, and for often biting his enemies to death. In 878, he launched a raid on Cornwall with 50 men and took over King Peradur's fort, leading to Peradur hiring Uhtred of Bebbanburg's brigands to help him deal with the Vikings. However, Skorpa offered to split all of Peradur's income with Uhtred if he joined him, and Uhtred turned his charging horsemen around to attack the Cornish soldiers. The Cornish were massacred until only Peradur was left, and Skorpa promised to spare him if he gave him the location of his silver. Peradur revealed that the silver was buried underneath his throne, and Skorpa then reneged on his word by stabbing Peradur through the heart. Upon finding the silver, Skorpa betrayed Uhtred as well, taking all of the treasure; Queen Iseult then secretly guided Uhtred to another treasure stash, still allowing for him to profit.

Skorpa then joined forces with Guthrum's Danish army as it invaded Wessex, and he was one of the Viking commanders at the Battle of Edington. During the battle, he and his horsemen snuck around the West Saxon army to attack its camp followers, and he beheaded Iseult and taunted Uhtred with her head. Uhtred then went berserk, killing Skorpa and several of his men in an act of vengeance.